Distinguish two organic compounds
“Give a chemical test to distinguish between…” - type the two compounds and get every test that tells them apart, with the reagent and what each one shows.
Answer
Warm or treat each with I2 and NaOH, warm: ethanoic acid gives no change, ethanol gives yellow precipitate of iodoform, CHI3.
Every test that tells them apart
| Test | Reagent | ethanoic acid | ethanol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iodoform | I2 and NaOH, warm | no change | yellow precipitate of iodoform, CHI3 |
| NaHCO3 | NaHCO3 solution | brisk effervescence of CO2 | no change |
The two compounds
carboxylic acid
alcohol, CH3CH(OH)-
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